A hymn to Haia for Rim-Sin (Rim-Sin B): translation

1-8Lord, perfect in
august wisdom and recognised for his mighty counsel, Haia, who holds the great tablets, who enriches wisdom with wisdom!
Accountant of Hal-an-kug, having the final overview of the arts of Nisaba's house of wisdom; palace archivist of heaven and earth, who
keeps count of every single assignment, who holds a holy reed-stylus and covers
the great tablets of destiny with writing! Wise one, who prompts holy An with words and attention at the appropriate times;
seal-holder of Father Enlil! He who brings forth the
holy objects from the treasure-house of E-kur; ornament
of the abzu shrine, wearing his hair loose for lord Nudimmud!

9-20Haia, linen-clad priest of E-unir, who
stocks the holy animal-fattening pens; learned scholar of the shrine E-kic-nujal, whose august name is great, whose mind is
discerning; who dwells in the great dining-hall alongside the maiden Ningal! Fair of features, beloved spouse of Nun-bar-ce-gunu and augustly renowned father-in-law of father Enlil the Great Mountain; junior administrator, possessor of
wisdom, acknowledged in heaven and earth, who receives the tribute for the
gods, the abundance of mountains and seas! Interpreter of the obscurity of
Enlil's (?) words, skilful one who steers the august
princely divine powers, with ...... girt at his side! Formed (?) with a broad
heart, holding in his hands the holy divine plans of the temple of Eridug, Haia, who wears the ceremonial robe
during pure lustrations of the engur! Indagara,
administrator who performs the opening of the mouth for the gods in the heavens
and in the underworld, and who is versed in the meaning of obscure tablets;
craftsman of the great gods!

21-28He who fixes the
standards on their pegs, planner (?) who artfully excavates (?) the soil of the
Land, who decorates the floor and makes the dining-hall attractive for Ancar and the Great Mountain! Tall and with head high, he
whose utterances from the abzu shrine are favourable, who carefully
holds the pure white loaves of the house of the gods! Kugsud and Indagara, without whom heaven
would not be pure nor earth bright, continual providers of the great meals of
An and Enlil in their grand
dining-hall! He who gazes upon the holy precinct, upon lord Nudimmud; he who holds the holy bronze vessels, who makes hearts
rejoice and soothes spirits!

29-38My king, I shall
praise your eminence in song! Haia, I will declare your
greatness perpetually! Who among the gods is fitted like you for the holy
divine powers? Your beloved spouse is the maiden Nisaba, the great queen of queens. Ninlil,
who was born of her holy womb, the august wife of Nunamnir, sits with her on the dais of E-kur with head raised high, uniquely entitled to behave as queen
of the gods, the peerless goddess. In the abzu shrine, Enki has bestowed his incantations of life on you, great
breed-bull, who are recognised for your right understanding, who constantly
care for the gods, Haia, you who operate effectively
the assigning of divine powers, who mark out the cult places.

39-42You appoint the
high priest for the jipar and install him there as its caretaker. You
make the shepherd of the Land hold in his hands the august sceptre until
distant days. Haia, you are the god of the Land who
gives ear to the prayers of all the people. You make the king hold the
widespread people in his hands for the great gods.

43-48When father
Enki comes forth from the abzu, he assigns (?)
its greatness to you, Haia. You cause the people who
are in its midst to lift their necks towards heaven; you make its population
pass their days in rejoicing. You keep all its people forever contented. You
establish festivals in the houses of the great gods; you spread splendour.

49-58Leader, leader
(?) of the gods, complete the great fates of the people. Look favourably upon
the king with your gracious gaze that is full of life. Duly grant a joyous
reign of long days to prince Rim-Sîn, marking its years on the tablet of life, forever
unalterable. May An and Enlil
love the shepherd Rim-Sîn
in the office of high-priest. The singers will make your praise resound sweetly
in their mouths; Haia, the singers will make your
praise resound sweetly in their mouths. Lord of heaven and earth, king of the
abzu, its praise is august. Father Enki, king of
the abzu, your praise is sweet.